Lateral Moves?
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  1. #1

    Lateral Moves?

    Out of curiosity, how many people are lucky enough to actually get a Lat Move on average? I want to stay in, but I'm not really feeling the MOS I have (1391, Bulk Fuel Specialist). I figure my best option is to just do my best until I'm eligible to change, but I was wondering the chances of that even happening. Thoughts?

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  2. #2
    Read the "similar threads" beneath your question. Sometimes they can help.

    I was a Battalion Career Planner for awhile but that was many years ago. Latmoves are normally made in conjunction with reenlistment as an incentive. But, with sequestration (force reduction) reenlistment today is difficult enough.

    Used to be, to be eligible for a latmove, your MOS had to be overpopulated and you were willing to move into an underpopulated MOS. This was a means to balance out MOS fields. Of course, you also had to have the GT score required for the new MOS (some of these can be waived by a couple points but not all - the MP MOS is not waiverable but Intel is for instance). And, you had to qualify for any security clearances required.

    One thing I always counselled Marines considering a latmove on was promotionalbility. After training in the new MOS (either formal school or OJT) and checking in at your new unit, you will be at the bottom as far as experience and techical expertise in that field. When it comes to promotion, you are competing against your peers (same rank as you) but you will be at a disadvantage because those peers have a lot more experience (years normally) than you. I'm not saying it will be impossible to get promoted but most likely will take longer (there are exceptions of course).

    In my experience, latmoves were rare - mostly because so many stars had to align just right for it to happen. I did have one Marine who latmoved into my MOS (0151 at the time) and he did just fine. He eventually got his promotion timeline back on track and retired a MSgt. So, it did happen just not very often. Can't say about today though.

    I would suggest you sit down with your career planner. Have them provide you a copy of the appropriate Marine Corps order outlining the eligibility criteria to see if you're even eligible at this point. Present your question to them and see what they say.

    Please come back after you get all your answers and update your post. That way, it will appear as a "similar thread" for future Marines contemplating making a latmove.

    Good luck.


  3. #3
    My husband is in the process of applying for a LAT move. His career planner fully supports and endorsees it! Not sure what FY you are trying LAT in but, his CP gave him a print out of the FY14 FTAP Boatspace report. It helps a lot! It says what MOS's are eligible for LAT move now (before dec) as well as how many slots are allotted per MOS. Every few weeks he gets a new printout to see how fast certain MOS's are filling up. He has been asking around a lot about the MOS's he is most interested in. Doing research. Pro's, Con's and average promotion rate. His current MOS isn't worlds fastest promotion wise but it is not closed out every year either! So he doesn't want to jump ship into one that is. He doesn't want to LAT move into an MOS that he is forced out next enlistment if at all possible. He would prefer it to be his choice to get out. Not that anything is a guarantee at all, but he has been working with his Gunny and his career planner to get it done. It is very competitive to stay in, my husband started talking to the career planner before the summer began to start getting info and ideas and to let him know what he was thinking. Communication is a big a thing! We can keep ya posted if ya want! I probably should have stated...his scores allows him to choose any job plus he already has a secret clearance and wouldn't have a problem getting a higher one. So that helps as well!


  4. #4
    Quote Originally Posted by Theshoefits06 View Post
    My husband is in the process of applying for a LAT move. His career planner fully supports and endorsees it! Not sure what FY you are trying LAT in but, his CP gave him a print out of the FY14 FTAP Boatspace report. It helps a lot! It says what MOS's are eligible for LAT move now (before dec) as well as how many slots are allotted per MOS. Every few weeks he gets a new printout to see how fast certain MOS's are filling up. He has been asking around a lot about the MOS's he is most interested in. Doing research. Pro's, Con's and average promotion rate. His current MOS isn't worlds fastest promotion wise but it is not closed out every year either! So he doesn't want to jump ship into one that is. He doesn't want to LAT move into an MOS that he is forced out next enlistment if at all possible. He would prefer it to be his choice to get out. Not that anything is a guarantee at all, but he has been working with his Gunny and his career planner to get it done. It is very competitive to stay in, my husband started talking to the career planner before the summer began to start getting info and ideas and to let him know what he was thinking. Communication is a big a thing! We can keep ya posted if ya want! I probably should have stated...his scores allows him to choose any job plus he already has a secret clearance and wouldn't have a problem getting a higher one. So that helps as well!
    Keep us posted please (mostly for future reference). I would recommend, after your husband's situation has been resolved, he submit his own post on lat moves so it will become a separate and current "similar thread" searchable by future Marines contemplating making a lateral move. No offense but it will carry more weight coming from a Marine who has gone through the steps and he can provide his personal perception of the process.

    Good luck to you and your husband and thank you again for your important input.


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